1. Assam recently signed a MoU with which state, to resolve differences in the state border?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Manipur
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya]
Notes:
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya and Assam, 18.33 square kilometer will be with Meghalaya while 18.46 sq km will be with Assam.
This is out of the 36.79 sq km in respect to the 6 out of 12 areas of differences claimed by the Government of Meghalaya in 2011.
2. India has opened up its central government procurement market to which country, recently?
[A] Japan
[B] Singapore
[C] UAE
[D] The Netherlands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UAE]
Notes:
India has opened up its central government procurement market to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the recently-signed free trade agreement (FTA).
This step will give national treatment status to UAE companies, on a par with Indian companies, while bidding for central government tenders.
3. Which Asian country has declared a nationwide public emergency amidst protests over economic crisis?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a nationwide public emergency amidst protests over the worst economic crisis in the island nation.
The special gazette notification declared a public emergency in Sri Lanka with immediate effect from April 1. The residents are facing shortages in fuel, cooking gas, essentials in short supply and long hours of power cuts.
4. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system crossed which milestone in terms of volume?
[A] 10 crore
[B] 50 crore
[C] 100 crore
[D] 500 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [500 crore]
Notes:
As per the data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) crossed the 500-crore mark in terms of volume.
In March this year, UPI was close to touching the ₹10-lakh crore milestone in value terms in March this year. There were around 315 banks live on the UPI platform by March this year.
5. Which Union Ministry issued an order to exempt certain types of genome edited crops from rules applicable on GM crops?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[B] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]
Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, forest and climate change issued an order, exempting SDN1 and SDN2 genome edited plants from Rules 7-11 of the Environment Protect Act (EPA) for manufacture, use or import or export and storage of hazardous microorganisms or genetically engineered organisms or cells rules-1989.
The exemptions from the rules applicable on genetically modified or GM crops is expected to give a big boost to further research and development of genome-edited crops.
6. Which city is the host of the ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ in 2022?
[A] New York
[B] Moscow
[C] Geneva
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Geneva]
Notes:
A draft recommendation on ‘Biodiversity and health’ was released during the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Geneva.
It will be the key focus area of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The convention, a part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was held physically after two years. It involved discussions to address the need and provide guidance for the One Health approach.
7. When is the ‘International Day for Mine Awareness’ observed annually?
[A] April 2
[B] April 4
[C] April 6
[D] April 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 4]
Notes:
The ‘International Day for Mine Awareness’ is observed annually on April 4, across the world. The mine action community, headed by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) launches activities to create awareness on Mines.
This year, the theme of International Mine Awareness Day stands for “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home”.
8. What is the trade deficit of India in the 2021-22 fiscal year?
[A] USD 92.41 billion
[B] USD 192.41 billion
[C] USD 492.41 billion
[D] USD 792.41 billion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USD 192.41 billion]
Notes:
As per the official data, India’s trade deficit rose 87.5 per cent to USD 192.41 billion in 2021-22 as against USD 102.63 billion in the previous year.
While total exports during last fiscal year increased to a record high of USD 417.81 billion, imports too rose to USD 610.22 billion, causing a trade gap of USD 192.41 billion. For the first time, India’s monthly merchandise exports exceeded USD 40 billion, reaching USD 40.38 billion in March 2022.
9. When is the ‘International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)’ observed?
[A] April 4
[B] April 6
[C] April 8
[D] April 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 6]
Notes:
The ‘International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)’ is observed across the world on April 6, to highlight the importance of sport in the society.
April 6 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly, as it was the day, the first-ever Modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens. This year, the theme for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is ‘Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future for All: The Contribution of Sport.’
10. As per the latest data of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), which state has lowest unemployment rate in the country?
[A] Punjab
[B] Kerala
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
According to the latest data released by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Chhattisgarh has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 0.6 per cent.
The country’s unemployment rate stood at 7.6 per cent in the same month (March). As per the data, Haryana has the highest unemployment rate at 26.7 per cent, followed by Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. The state has launched various schemes including Suraji Gaon Yojana, Narva-Garva-Ghurva-Bari programme, Godhan Nyay Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana etc.